Sainz Snr urges son to ignore Renault rumors

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The father of Carlos Sainz has told his son to forget about the rumors linking the Toro Rosso driver to Renault and focus on the job at hand.

Sainz's talent is well appreciated up and down the F1 pitlane with Renault in particular taking a keen interest in the 22-year-old, encouraged by the very positive opinion voiced by its special advisor, Alain Prost.

But former world rally champion Carlos Sainz says his son should be happy with Toro Rosso and disregard for now any speculation about his future.

"He is privileged because he is in Formula 1 and in the Red Bull orbit," he told the Spanish sports newspaper AS.

"What he needs to do is focus on Toro Rosso and forget about everything else. He should try to do another good year with Toro Rosso and realise there is more time in the future.

"If he has a good year, there will be other opportunities," insisted Sainz Snr.

"It is logical that he wants to develop as a driver and to do that you seek other opportunities, but my advice is to focus on Toro Rosso and the Red Bull world today."

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Sainz believes his son's interests would be better served by blocking from his mind any outside interest, be it from Renault or any other team.

"I think it would be a very serious mistake at this point to get confused -- it is the worst thing you could do.

"I am convinced that if he continues as he has and does a good year, he will have his options," the 54-year-old concluded.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.